Cricket Australia would be mighty pleased considering the negative press the game has received in the last 2 years. They got a damn good deal out of this with Ch 9 and of course Big Bash with Ch 10.

This was the easy part for Cricket Australia. They're under huge pressure now to improve their product in the national team and improve it rapidly. Nine payed well over the odds to retain the rights. They're going to have to do everything they can to get a return on the money they've payed. If the national team continues to serve up the rubbish it has over the last 4 years then Nine will be applying the blow torch on Cricket Australia.

One bit of positive press for the first time in years doesn't change these facts. The national team is rubbish, the system is broken and the cricketing public don't like the players (them about to get a pay rise won't help this). The ball is well and truly in your court now Sutherland. Time to deliver the full product. No pressure.